Miami Dolphins fans hold on to slim hope for win in Buffalo
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins chances of beating the Buffalo Bills on Sunday are pretty slim. Fans know this but they still hold out hope nonetheless.
Miami is now a 13 point underdog after lines shifted following Wednesdays news that Tua Tagovailoa would not be available. It will be his third game in a row that he misses after suffering a concussion against the Packers three games ago.
With Tua out, no one is giving Miami much of a chance with Skylar Thompson behind center. Last week, Thompson couldn’t turn a single drive into seven points, instead settling for field goals on three trips inside the Jets side of the field. That won’t cut it against the Bills.
Miami must have a powerful and successful running game to keep the Bills offense off the field. Problem number one? Raheem Mostert may not play due to an injury. Problem number 2? Terron Armstead is likely out as well. Problem number 3? The Bills are very good at stopping the run.
With Thompson behind center, the Bills won’t have to play safety deep to take away Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They will be able to stack the box and take away Miami’s run game and dare the Dolphins to try and let Thompson air it out.
At some point, it is likely that the Dolphins will need to throw the ball considerably if they are behind and most believe that the Dolphins will find themselves behind early.
While offensively, the key will be the running game and Skylar Thompson, the real key to this game will the Dolphins defense and their ability to shutdown the Bills offense and Josh Allen. Last week the Patriots kept the game a closer than the final score indicated and this might be the only way the Dolphins win. Keep the game close, force the Bills to make mistakes and take advantage of them.
Field position will be important. Miami can not afford to start drives consistently deep on their own side of the field. Miami has to win the special teams game as well. If they can do that and the defense can keep the Bills out of the endzone, Miami’s offense might just have a shot.